AFTER a limestone hill adjacent to Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Park in Phang Nga province collapsed early this morning (June 26) the authorities explained that this was not caused by a minor earthquake that struck this Andaman coastal province in the wee hours, Naewna newspaper said.
The 2.2 magnitude earthquake with a shallow depth of 3 kilometres hit Bang Toey subdistrict, Phang Nga City district, at 2.55 a.m. with there being palm plantations but no one residing at the epicentre. It was initially reported that no one felt any tremors nor was there any damage.
Just a couple of hours later at 5 a.m. the limestone hill collapsed.
Mr. Samon Saton, head Phang Nga Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, said after surveying the area that as the quake occurred at 2.55 a.m. with residents not feeling any vibrations while the limestone hill collapsed at 5 a.m. it is assumed that other factors triggered the rockfall.
It has been raining heavily continuously in Phang Nga with this leading to the limestone hill swelling until it could no longer hold any more water, and cracks and crevices were also washed away by the rainwater, this then led to the collapse, he pointed out.
Reporters said people who went to exercise at this park early this morning found the long limestone hill surrounding it had collapsed with fragments of limestone, mud, tree roots, blocking the path, making it impossible to pass through.
Moreover as there is another steep limestone hill next to the park there could be another natural rockfall endangering people.
However officials have already blocked off this zone with barriers for their safety.
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Top and Front Page: The limestone hill abutting Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Park in Phang Nga that collapsed early this morning, June 26, 2024. Photos: Naewna
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